The first Civic Type R rolled off the production line at Honda’s UK facility only last week and the Japanese carmaker has made a big announcement relating to the car’s export prospects. In his inaugural speech as Honda’s CEO, Takahiro Hachigo announced that the new Civic Type R, built in Britain, will be destined for customers in Japan.
The first units to be shipped from Honda’s UK facility are due to arrive in Japanese showrooms later this year. Furthermore, Honda recently announced that it is investing £200 million in the UK facility to make it the global production hub for the next generation Civic five-door model.
Commenting on the news, Philip Ross, Senior Vice President for Honda Motor Europe, stated, "We’re delighted that the European Civic Type R will be sold to customers in Honda’s home country of Japan. Customers are really excited about this car and we’re developing a significant order bank here in Europe. Exporting the car to Japan will only serve to increase demand further, which is great news!”
Billed as a ‘Race car for the road’, the new Civic Type R is the most extreme model to ever wear the acclaimed ‘Red H’ badge. It features a new chassis technology and Honda’s entirely new 2.0-litre turbocharged VTEC engine. The latter is a turbocharged 2.0-litre, four-cylinder engine that develops 310bhp at 6,500rpm and 400Nm of torque at 2,500rpm. Red-lining at 7,000rpm, this new engine is part of Honda’s next-generation Earth Dreams Technology series.
The new Honda Civic Type R competes with other hot hatchbacks namely the Renault Megane 265, Seat Leon Cupra 280 and Volkswagen Golf GTI in Europe.
